Residents and staff in P.E.I.'s long-term care homes sweating it out as AC delays continue

Residents at many of Prince Edward Island's public long-term care facilities could be in for a warm summer as delays in getting air conditioning continue. 

Andrew MacDougall, executive director of seniors care with Health P.E.I., said finding companies to do the installation work has been more difficult than expected. 

The province put out tenders to install cooling units at seven homes back in November. Two newer long-term care locations on the Island are already equipped with air conditioning.

MacDougall said contracts have been awarded for four homes — Summerset Manor, Wedgewood Manor, Prince Edward Home and Beach Grove Home — and new tenders have been issued for the remaining facilities. The province is now in the process of scheduling the work, though MacDougall said none of the AC units are installed yet.

"The reality is it's been a complicated procurement process," he said. 

"I think everyone's well aware that Prince Edward Island's a booming place. There's lots of construction, lots of industry going on, and it's been challenging to get market response to the tenders that we put out."

MacDougall said changes in standards for the types of coolants used in the units have also contributed in part to the delays.

In the meantime, he said there's no "one magic solution" but the province has been installing portable AC units and fans in the facilities, which are also cutting back on the use of what he called "heat-inducing equipment" like ovens and dishwashers.

He said staff are keeping a close eye on residents to make sure they're properly hydrated.

"We didn't want to be here right now having this kind of conversation when we started this process earlier," he said. "We are here, but we are prepared as well and we're responding."

MacDougall said the time frame for getting the cooling units installed varies from facility to facility and will depend in part on when contractors are available.

Residents, staff struggle

With the Island having dealt with recent heat warnings and humidex values reaching the high 30s, one staff member at a long-term care home said there is an urgent need for cooling.

"It is pretty miserable on the hot days, especially," said Jeleasa O'Connor, a resident-care worker at the Prince Edward Home.

"On the really hot days, it's affecting us. We're having to take more breaks, definitely getting more water in, more people complaining of headaches and migraines."

She said staff have been taking care to make certain residents are hydrated and cool. She added that while there are heat pumps in the facility, their range is small.

Residents who have their own portable AC units end up staying in their rooms where things are most comfortable.

O'Connor said she expects morale will improve once the facility is properly outfitted.

"The heat makes everybody grumpy, staff and residents."